How Not to Prop Up Propaganda
An examination of Edward L. Bernays’ 1928 book Propaganda and what we can do about it today
The term “propaganda” has been around for four centuries, although it took on new meaning during and after World War I. Editor and press agent Edward L. Bernays, who worked for the Committee on Public Information’s Bureau of Latin-American Affairs during the war, began to wonder whether such wartimes techniques could — and should — be applied during peace. His answer? A resounded yes. Bernays would become not only the “father of public relations” but also the leading “propagandist for propaganda,” asserting that not only can propaganda serve positive ends but that it is “a logical result” of a democratic state and essential for “a smoothly functioning society.” His conclusions ring frightening today — something more akin to dystopia than democracy. The Trump administration is a prime purveyor of propaganda (though not the only one). What exactly is propaganda? And what can we do about it, if anything, today?
To skip the intro, fast forward to the 2:24 mark.
